Peanut butter is one of those things people love to have around the house, but then they don’t always use it. So after a while, they either throw it out or give it away.
But just because you no longer eat peanut butter doesn’t mean your dog can’t. As long as you keep it in your pantry, you can feed your dog a little bit of peanut butter from time to time as a treat for being such a good dog.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter as a treat. It contains lots of protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, and is a good dog snack if fed in moderation. Be advised though that certain brands of peanut butter contain trace amounts of xylitol, an artificial sweetener shown to cause liver failure in dogs even in small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Cookies?
Yes, peanut butter cookies are safe for dogs but it is important to feed them to them in moderation, and it is equally important to make sure that the peanut butter cookies are free of harmful substances such as chocolate. As you know, chocolate is very dangerous for our furry friends, so avoid giving them peanut butter cookies with chocolate, and make sure that the peanut butter in the cookies is free of xylitol.
How Much Peanut Butter Can a Dog Eat?
Peanut butter is yummy. Your dog thinks so too. Only a little bit of peanut butter can be enough to satisfy your pup’s cravings and desires quickly.
As a starting point, it is reasonable to limit peanut butter offerings to ½ teaspoon for a small dog, twice per day and 1 teaspoon for a medium or large dog, twice per day as a maximum amount.
Dangers of Peanut Butter for Dogs
While most brands of peanut butter are safe for dogs, there are certain brands that can contain the following:
1.) Aflatoxins
Aflatoxin is a group of compounds that are naturally produced by fungi in the ground. The presence of these toxic fungi and their mycotoxins has been linked to different types of cancer, including lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancer.
Aflatoxins are also known to cause liver failure in dogs. As such, it is recommended that only pure peanut butter be used as a dog treat.
2.) Harmful Fats
Peanut butter contains hydrogenated oil. This type of fat is very harmful to dogs’ bodies. When a dog ingests this type of fat, it does not become stored like normal fat would be. Instead, it gets metabolized at a very fast rate, which can cause belly bloat as well as other health issues.
3.) Sugar
Artificial sweeteners are added to peanut butter to enhance the flavor and make it taste better. While they do not necessarily contain actual sugar, sugar is still present in the product as a whole, which can ultimately lead to high blood sugar levels in dogs, particularly if it is being given in large amounts.
4.) Glyphosate
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many weedkillers. Dogs who eat peanut butter that contains glyphosate can end up poisoned. Symptoms of glyphosate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures.
5.) Lectins
Lectins are known to trigger food allergies in dogs and cats. However, they can also lead to inflammation, which can contribute to a variety of health problems. The best way to reduce the risk of lectin poisoning is to use only organic peanut butter as a dog treat.
6.) Xylitol
As mentioned above, xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in some brands of peanut butter. The substance is harmful to dogs. Ingestion of the sweetener triggers a release of insulin in the body, which causes blood sugar levels to drop quickly. This can result in liver failure even in small amounts.
7.) Unbalanced Fats
Peanut butter is made with a high amount of polyunsaturated fat, which is not a very healthy thing for dogs. Polyunsaturated fats are unstable and do not hold up well under heat. As a result, when peanut butter is exposed to heat, it can become bad for dogs.
Do Not Give Your Dog This Type of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a great treat for dogs as long as you choose the right brand. Unfortunately, many brands of peanut butter contain xylitol, a toxic ingredient that can cause liver failure in dogs.
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many brands of peanut butter, but it should never be given to dogs. Dogs are less able to metabolize sugar alcohols like xylitol compared to other animals because the trick for them is to break down the sugar molecules for energy, not absorb them intact as humans do.
This causes challenges for your dog’s liver and can lead to seizures, coma, and even death within hours of ingestion.
Brands that you should try to avoid:
- Jif
- Peter Pan
- Skippy
Why Xylitol Is Dangerous to Dogs
Xylitol is a sugar substitute. It looks like sugar and tastes like sugar to other human beings, but it is actually an artificial sweetener that does not contain actual sugar.
This makes the substance very dangerous to dogs but not necessarily dangerous to humans. Dogs cannot process xylitol the way that humans can, which means that any amount of it that is ingested will be very harmful to dogs.
Why Glyphosate Is Dangerous to Dogs
Glyphosate is an herbicide and is used to kill all the weeds in your garden. It is an herbicide that has been linked to causing birth defects, cancer, and even death in humans.
What to Do in Case of Xylitol Ingestion
In case of xylitol ingestion, the best thing to do is to immediately call your vet. While they will be able to tell you how serious this situation is, they will also be able to determine the best course of action to help your pet.
Avoid inducing vomiting. Instead, allow your pet to remain calm and still and follow your vet’s instructions.
How to Use Peanut Butter Safely With Dogs
Many dogs love peanut butter. Since it can be a healthy food for dogs, you should give them peanut butter as a treat. There are, however, things to keep in mind when you make the decision to give your dog peanut butter treats, as mentioned above.
Ideally, you should use natural peanut butter and never buy the sweetened variety of the product.
Here are a few ways to give your dog some peanut butter.
1.) Put some peanut butter on a spoon or on your finger
2.) Put some peanut butter on their regular food
3.) Put some peanut butter on the inside of their regular dog food bowl
4.) Put it in their regular doggie cookie
5.) Put some peanut butter in a hollow bone or another toy that your dog loves to chew on
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Peanuts?
Dogs can be allergic to peanuts. If your dog has a peanut allergy, the ingestion of peanut butter can lead to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. If you suspect that your dog is allergic to peanuts, it is advised that you do not use peanut butter for any reason whatsoever.
Your veterinarian will be able to give you more details about a dog’s ability to be allergic to peanuts.
Buy Peanut Butter made for dogs
There are a number of peanut butter products out there that are specifically made for dogs. While they are peanut butter, they have been finely ground and flavored to better curb your dog’s appetite.
Always keep in mind the things we discussed here, and you can ensure that you have a good experience giving your dog peanut butter.
Our favorite brand of peanut butter is Nature’s Logic Canine Peanut Butter Spread. It is made from peanuts, chia seeds, and coconut oil and it is 100% natural.
Conclusion
Peanut butter can be a healthy addition to your dog’s daily intake of food. While the potential dangers from overdosing on peanut butter will not be as severe, it is possible that you could poison your dog if you are not careful.
You should therefore avoid giving your dog regular doses of peanut butter and instead opt for organic peanut butter or a more natural option.
